The rocky reef fishery targeting snapper, pearl perch and teraglin jew is centred in the southern third of the State between Bundaberg and Southport. Smaller quantities of rocky reef fish are caught as far north as Mackay. In southern Queensland, the rocky reef fishery plays an important role in providing fresh local seafood for coastal communities. Typically, rocky reef fish are taken from small boats who return to their catch to port every day. Rocky reef fish are harvested by the same hook and line apparatus used by recreational fishers. The rocky reef fishery is governed by provisions in the Fisheries Regulations 1995, which places limits on the number of boats that can access the fishery, the types of apparatus that can be used and areas than can be fished.
Fisheries Queensland and industry stakeholders have been responding to significant pressures on Snapper via a Working Group for the last 18 months and have agreed to a resource sharing arrangement between the commercial and recreational sectors that will see a substantially reduced TAC for each sector. A Regulatory Impact Statement will be released by government in late 2010 to seek feedback from stakeholders about the future management of this important species.
